Joe- Seeing Joe through God's eyes, what a gift :))

  

Yesterday I posted this picture and a friend made the comment that the old man is the physical reality that humans see: the shadow is the spirtual reality that God sees. His comment reminded me of a student named Joe that I taught in Amarillo. God showed me a spiritual reality about this boy long before I knew the Lord as my Savior. What a blessing that I could look at Joe through a different lens. It was a very powerful vision so I thought I would share.

                                                                             JOE

During my final year of college I taught gymnastics to preschoolers.  There was a special class of foster children who came for awhile. Joe was the cutest little boy, with a bright smile and full of energy.  He took to gymnastics and would flip down the trampoline.  We all loved him and felt such compassion for him.  Joe had a very hard life for such a little boy. He had been sexually and physically abused. We were all horrified that this happened to such a cute, sweet little boy. We did everything we could to build Joe up and let him know we thought he was great and that we cared for him.

        My life went on and I left the gym to teach special education at a middle school in Amarillo.  I never really thought about Joe again.  During my fourth year of teaching I had a new boy enroll.  This boy was a mess. There were two dead roaches on the collar of his coat, and it was obvious he hadn’t bathed in a long time. Most everyone in the office was disgusted  and kept their distance, even the teachers.  As I looked into this sad boy’s eyes I realized it was Joe. He was no longer cute or sweet.  The years of abuse had taken their toll and he was now acting out sexually.  My heart broke for him but no one else’s did.  Everyone shunned him and didn’t want him in their class.  But I didn’t mind, I welcomed him. This was not because I was a great person it was because I had a different view of Joe. When I looked at Joe I saw the cute, sweet little boy who could flip down the trampoline but no one else saw that.  They just saw him for what he had become.  Hopefully this story will teach us all a lesson. For one thing we all have a sweet child inside of us and that is what God sees.  I think when I was doing drugs, neglecting my children, and living in sin God looked down and saw the hurt little girl who had been abandoned, who found her mother dead after saying horrible things, and had been rejected by her father.  God knew if he could heal that little girl he could heal me and use me.    I just think we should all try to view people from God’s point of view .Our compassion should reach all people not just the cute little Joe’s.  This would help so many people and help break the cycles of addiction and abuse that happen in so many families today. This attitude would enable healing which would open the door for education for so many children who are living in defeat and hopelessness.

Comments

[Pamela McCune]

Thank you Susan, thank you.

[Toni Jett Niles]

I Love you so much Susan !!!